More ID!

Well, I still haven't identified the plants from the previous post but was able to identify some others from the vault:

This one on the left is Chimaphila maculata, spotted 0r striped pipsissewa. According to Alan Armitage, the leaves are quite refreshing when chewed! Interesting. That is probably why it has another common name of striped wintergreen (not to be confused with the other wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens).



The other photo is of a terrestrial orchid, Goodyera pubescens or downy rattlesnake-plantain. Some folks thought the beautiful white venation on its leaves was reminiscent of markings on rattlesnake skin and the persistent flower structure reminiscent of a rattler's tail. There is evidence indicating its past use as a remedy for snakebites yet my cursory research suggests
G. pubescens was most likely given this indication based on its appearance solely.

For more info on these plants, check out the links below:
http://www.biol.vt.edu/digital_atlas/index.php?do=plant&plant=2620&search=Chimaphila
http://www.biol.vt.edu/digital_atlas/index.php?do=plant&plant=131&search=goodyera
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GOPU
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CHMA3
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/Dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=426

A Walk in the Woods

Every time I go hiking in the woods, I realize just how much I don't know. My camera is loaded with pictures of plants I cannot identify. So, maybe you readers out there can help me. I am going to start posting more images of mystery pants and if you know what they are, feel free to share.

Let's start with these two images. They must be fairly common as I have encountered them almost every time I have ventured into the woods. Looking forward to getting to know them! Happy Hunting!

aaaa....aaaaa....ACHOOOO!!!

So, as it turns out, the mystery plant previously posted is Ambrosia trifida, giant ragweed. Many thanks to Tom Wieboldt, Curator at Virginia Tech's Massey Herbarium, for help on the ID! To all of you allergy and hay fever sufferers out there, this plant is your worst nightmare!

Check out the links below for some additional infomation:

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=AMTR
http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/giant_ragweed.htm
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=amtr
http://www.biol.vt.edu/digital_atlas/index.php?do=plant&plant=530&search=+trifida

Name that Plant!

Anyone? I am stumped.

Holy Smokes!

Check out the double rainbow that appeared through the clouds at the garden's first "Music in the Garden" concert. A spectacular event made truly unforgettable. Thanks Mother Nature.

P.S. After this photo was taken, the crowd quickly dispersed to find the four pots of gold at the ends of the rainbows.

P.P.S. No word on the booty.

Garden Thievery

To my horror, I discovered that someone lifted some Sempervivum out of one of the garden's hypertufa planters. Two different kinds are missing; I am particularly sad about the disappearance of a 'Cobweb' -y looking cultivar called 'Forest Frost'. Shame on you, thief.

We don't really have a big problem with disappearing plants. The last plant I can remember disappearing was a Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost', back when it had just come out on the market. Hopefully, we won't have any more sticky fingers in the garden for a long while!

Stroke That Plant, Part Deux ... Finally!

If you are still wondering about those stroke-able leaves and did not check out the "comment" section where Dan Benarcik, horticulturist/plantsman extraordinaire at Chanticleer garden in Wayne, PA, solved the mystery, those leaves belong to (drum roll please.............) Veratrum viride!

Totally strokeable leaves, but will most likely make you vomit (or worse!) Check out this abstract from the FDA 's Poisonous Plant Database:

AUTHOR(S): Crummett, D.; Bronstein, D.; Weaver, Z. III
TITLE: Accidental Veratrum viride poisoning in three "ramp" foragers.
YEAR: 1985 CITATION: N C Med J, 46(9), 469-471 [English]
FDA #: F05735
ABSTRACT: Conclusion and Summary: As with all foraged foods, ramps must be carefully identified, preferably by an experienced person, prior to ingestion. Identification will be aided by the strong odor of leeks. Mistaken ingestion of Veratrum viride can have serious conmplications including first and second degree atrioventricular block, significant hypotension, respiratory depression and even death. With "ramps" gaining increasing popularity, western North Carolina physicians should be suspicious of accidental Veratrum viride poisoning in patients appearing toxic after the ingestion of "ramps". GRIN #: 41142
COMMON NAME:
STANDARD COMMON NAME: American hellebore
FAMILY: Melanthiaceae
LATIN NAME: Veratrum viride
STANDARD PLANT NAME: Veratrum viride Aiton

Don't think I'll nibble on this!

Some more links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veratrum_viride
http://www.delawarewildflowers.org/bucktoe.php (scroll down to see another image)
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=VEVI
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/Plantox/Detail.CFM?ID=6385